The Moneychangers

"And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." Mark 11:15-17 (KJV)

Today we look at what Jesus did and still don't understand what happened. Today it happens all the time, ATMs in the foyer, books sold in a bookstore inside the church, collections of tithe and offerings, a plea for finances from the pulpit, and the list goes on.

So what is wrong with that? Why did Jesus have a problem with it, when the moneychangers were there to help people to leave a offering at the Synagogue? The whole crux of the matter lay with "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves".

The place where they worshiped was considered sacred to God, and having commerce, the selling and buying of goods, defiled that sacredness that the temple was built for. It was a house of worship not a man-made place of commerce which is of the world in nature and application.

We must hold those things that are sacred to God in the sacredness they exist in. First let's be clear, God never ordained the building of churches, the structures we see today. I know you would be thinking about the Synagogues of the Bible that the Jews were commanded by God to build. However when sonship came to the gentiles there was no such unction or command given by God. 

Many things that the Jews were commanded to do are not carried forward, by a God-given decree, to those disciplining themselves under Christ. That is not a sophistry (something viewed as valid, or seemingly truthful, through convoluted thinking or speech), it is the truth. Find in the Bible where God commanded the gentiles, who had converted, to build synagogues or temples. It simply does not exist.

However the desecration of modern churches of worship, most definitely does. The moneychangers are alive and kicking, many times at the behest of church leadership. This is contrary to the Word of God. But does the Bible give us a clear example of this principle? Yes, it most certainly does.

When Christ was confronted concerning paying tribute to Caesar, He held up a coin and ask whose face was on it, then said render to Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's. This exchange can be found in this passage:

"Show me the money used for the tribute. And they brought Him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, Whose likeness and title are these? They said, Caesar's. Then He said to them, Pay therefore to Caesar the things that are due to Caesar, and pay to God the things that are due to God." Matthew 22:19-21 (KJV).

So what is being rendered (given) in the Synagogue that Christ cleared? Not prayer, as instructed, nor worship of any kind. It was the doing of business in the temple, this was truly a man endeavor. The Synagogue had only one purpose, to worship God, and not do business. If they were diligent in their worship to God, they would have come already prepared.

So when we go to church, the modern day Synagogue for Gentiles, we are to be focused only on one thing, God. But the apostasy has run so deep that our eyes have lost focus, our minds dull, and our faith compromised. As a friend of mine always ends her prayers, we need to have "eyes that see, ears that hear, and understanding hearts".

I once attended a church that had it offering and tithes plate (a box really) outside of the sanctuary. People could place their offerings and/or tithes there, never intruding on the sermon. That is a good measure of how to keep the focus on God, because we were there to worship Him and nothing else. That was the very reason the church, and all churches, existed.

It is easy not to be as diligent as we should, though not an excuse, since those who are leading lead wrongfully. And this is why REAL Christians are leaving the church behind, and all it's worldly posturing. Faith in God needs to be held to the faith ascribed (detailed) in the Bible. But man is always trying to "improve" on God for his own selfish reasons. 

Choose life, choose God, and never accept anything less.

Be blessed, be loved and be at peace. May the light of God's glory and presence fire the brilliance of your souls. You are greatly loved.